Historical groups partner for debut tour

The newly formed African American Heritage Alliance, Inc (AAHA) has joined forces with the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield, Inc. (FoWB) to sponsor a four-hour Civil War bus tour entitled: “The Rappahannock: A River to Freedom.”

Noted Civil War historian and author with an expertise in Culpeper County Clark “Bud” Hall will conduct this first of its kind tour.

In July of 1862, U.S. Gen. John Pope established headquarters in Culpeper County and introduced the local citizenry to a new Federal policy termed “Total War.” As a result civilians were arrested and dozens fled the county: southern whites headed south and southern blacks set their sights on the northern banks of the Rappahannock River.

Hall will examine the juxtaposition of slave plantations and Union encampments to the Rappahannock River and the subsequent self -emancipation efforts of Culpeper slaves.

Tour organizers in consultation with Mr. Hall have secured permission to visit several rarely or never seen locations including: a phenomenal mountain top view of the county, Union encampment sites, a large slave- holding plantation, a celebrated refugee river crossing, and additional sites reflecting the return of former slaves in 1864 as members of the United States Colored Troops.

The bus tour is part of a full day of activities including a symposium in the morning and a reception with historians in the evening. Participants may register for one or all three components.

For more info visit www.fowb.org or contact Zann Nelson at 540-547-2395 or M16439@aol.com.

If you go

“The Rappahannock: A River to Freedom”

Date: Saturday, July 21,
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Level: Tightly packed tour with light walking
Departs and returns to the Daniel Technology Center at Germanna Community College in Culpeper
Cost: $60 limited seating on a commercial bus: water, snacks, and handouts included